4 Things to Avoid when Setting Up a New Website for Your Business

In many ways, the website is the cornerstone of business in today’s world. It is the platform in which customer connections are made and how many market the company to both local and worldwide consumers. Unfortunately, some mistakes can happen when it comes time to make a website.

The online presence is just as vital to success as real-world interactions. This is partly due to the fact that most consumers will research a business online before making a purchase. If a website isn’t effective for engaging visitors, it will often play poorly when it comes to purchasing goods or services.

Luckily, some of the most common mistakes are easy to avoid. As long as a developer takes as much care with the website as he or she does with any other part of the business, success is possible.

Below are four things that every creator needs to avoid when setting up a new business website. Although success is never a guarantee, mistakes such as these can be very costly when not addressed.

Picking the Wrong Hosting Account Type

One of the biggest issues many new owners are faced with is picking the wrong kind of hosting account. This may result in problems ranging from an excessive expense to a lack of needed features. You see, not all hosting platforms are built the same. Some are better suited for certain purposes than others.

For example, most personal blogging platforms can easily rest on a shared WordPress server. These are usually inexpensive to maintain and don’t usually require a great deal of bandwidth. Larger eCommerce websites that experience a vast number of visitors on a daily basis may find VPS or dedicated servers to be more efficient.

Hosting types are only part of the problem, though. Because speed is important for SEO and keeping visitors on the site, the web provider needs to deliver optimum hardware and features. For instance, a Content Delivery Network, or CDN, would be a great advantage as it helps boost site speed.

Search engines rate faster sites higher while the human element will leave the site if it takes too long to load. Anything provided by a web host that can enhance the speed of a site should always be held in high regard.

Not Having a Plan for the Website

Many new website owners assume that they can simple start throwing anything up and expect it to work perfectly. This is far from the truth. Planning and design plays an intricate role in delivering brand recognition and reputation.

Appearance is Everything

Everything from the background color to the style of the typography can play a role in how well visitors accept the layout. The overall appearance needs to be as organized and clean as a brick-and-mortar location for the business. Customers are more accepting of the professional appearance, especially if the site is easy to use.

Mobile Friendliness

Today, responsive design is as much of a requirement as a domain name. This is because the majority of people in the world own a smartphone. These devices are used every day whether it’s to perform a search of businesses nearby or buy something directly from an online store. However, responsive design also needs to be optimized. Things like image use and mobile layout are vital components to the experience.

The Purpose of the Site

Is the site going to primarily center around eCommerce or blogging? Its questions like these that will help create a plan for how to create the website.

Not Addressing the Needs of the Target Audience

One problem many website owners come across is the lack of engagement from visitors. Sometimes this happens when a person visits but doesn’t immediately find what he or she is looking for. While content is a powerful tool to make a website, there may be more functions to accentuate the experience.

For example, adding contact abilities such as live chat and available phone numbers improves overall interaction from visitors. This is because these elements make the individual feel comfortable. In fact, studies show the majority of people visiting a site admit that live chat plays a part in their decisions to spend money.

When developing a website, it’s important to understand the target consumer. Things like shipping methods, payment gateways, services offered and more will all weigh heavily on success. An eCommerce site may need a rating system on products because shoppers are often more likely to trust this over an advertisement.

It’s the small additions such as the aforementioned rating system that developers need to know to get the most out of the experience.

No Marketing Strategies in Play

According to research, one of the reasons why most businesses shut down within four years is because of a lack of proper marketing. Whether the website is eCommerce or strictly informational, some kind of marketing needs to be in play on the Internet. Remember, most people are researching online for brand reputation.

There are multiple ways that any business can market the brand online, such as:

Pay-per-click campaigns.

Social media marketing and engagement.

Using email to connect with customers.

Offering coupon codes or discounts.

Regularly blogging about the industry.

Giving away free gifts.

The point is that marketing is vastly important if any business is to attract customers online and off. Keep in mind that even social engagement on sites like Facebook will help in real-life customer interactions.

The most important thing to remember is that no one will spend money if he or she doesn’t know the business exists. Because the Internet is so integrated with everyday life, Internet marketing is hotter more now than ever before. A good online strategy is key to build awareness of the business.

To Wrap it Up..

While it’s not difficult to make a website for any purpose, understanding certain aspects can boost its overall success. Don’t assume that simply putting up a few lines of text and contact information is going to be enough. The site is essentially the digital representation of the business, and it needs to be cared for as such.